Etiquette Hell

Etiquette School is in session! => "What an interesting assumption." => Topic started by: Alida on August 03, 2010, 06:53:29 PM

Title: DD gets to use this phrase
Post by: Alida on August 03, 2010, 06:53:29 PM

My 17 year old is bi-s*xual. I support her choices and, more importantly, I love her. What surprises me, though, is the reaction some of her friends' parents have had, people who have known her since she was 4 years old.

Her hair is short. She is growing it out, but it's cute. I've had short hair since I was 12, so I never thought twice about it. Apparently, though, this, combined with the fact she has a girlfriend, has a couple parents sure that DD is going to try to "turn" their daughters, even those with boyfriends! They've been pretty open with this opinion, too. I told DD "What an interesting assumption" may be her best route to go. And that she should be pretty proud that she's considered so darned influential ;)

Gee, an accidental 'hello' from one of those people is going to cause their little precious to go bananas?

Ah, but sometimes a hello isn't just a hello! As one of my g*a*y friends put it (after almost getting into a fight with some aggresive drunken homophobe while standing in line to get a drink), "Yes, of course I was flirting with you when I accidentally trod heavily on your foot." ::)

Apparently, though, this, combined with the fact she has a girlfriend, has a couple parents sure that DD is going to try to "turn" their daughters, even those with boyfriends!

Didn't you know? One's primary duty as a bi person is to recruit an army of Bi Minions for the cause. It's on the mission list we get with the membership card and everything. ;D

In your shoes, I'd be tempted to make the odd sarcastic comment about being "so concerned" that these hetero girls would "turn DD straight", but that's not E-Hell approved, and also something that could backfire far too easily. :P

Hugs for both you and your DD! It must be so frustrating to deal with the desire to explain just how ridiculous they are being, knowing that it probably won't make a difference. WAIA is a great response.

Just a warning, she also might want to prepare herself for invasive questions and comments about her scrabble life. Especially (in my experience) from young men. :-\

Oh yeah, I know the type of attitude... Some people seem to genuinely believe that sexual preferences are catching like the flu :DA friend of mine has once been accused by an overly concerned and not entirely sane person that she'd turn her daughter into a lesbian; my friend was 100% straight- but an activist for gay people's rights. Very smart and sensible people we share the space with.............

Oh yeah, I know the type of attitude... Some people seem to genuinely believe that sexual preferences are catching like the flu :DA friend of mine has once been accused by an overly concerned and not entirely sane person that she'd turn her daughter into a ********; my friend was 100% straight- but an activist for g*a*y people's rights. Very smart and sensible people we share the space with.............

So you don't even have to be around a gay person? Just brush against someone who knows someone who is gay? Did Not-Entirely-Sane-Person realize that if that theory were true, we would all be gay - including her? Or is that too logical? :P

Just because they have a different opinion doesn't mean they're automatically wrong. They may be thinking the same thing.

There is a difference between opinions and facts.

Exactly. And when someone needs to "learns something," it's generally assumed to be a fact that "needs" to be learned. These are just opinions being discussed, not facts. And I'm *not* saying sexual orientation is "contagious."

Just because they have a different opinion doesn't mean they're automatically wrong. They may be thinking the same thing.

There is a difference between opinions and facts.

Exactly. And when someone needs to "learns something," it's generally assumed to be a fact that "needs" to be learned. These are just opinions being discussed, not facts. And I'm *not* saying sexual orientation is "contagious."

I would say that what they certainly need to learn is that not every single bi person under the sun is out to "turn" their straight acquaintances; and, also, that simply having a bi friend is not by itself going to swerve someone's own sexuality. Both of which are facts. :)

Some of DD's friends do stand up to their parents, but some have drifted away (these are mostly 16 - 18 year olds). The stock eHell phrase has certainly come in handy!

The bolded makes me happy. I think it shows that your DD has some very good friends. As for the others, the drifting may have not really been the bi and more that it was just time to let the friendship go.

Wow... Your daughter must be hot stuff if she can convert straight girls. ::) (Eye roll for strange homophobic parents, not your DD)

This always confused me. People claim its a "mutation" to be g*a*y... yet apprently its contagious? As my dear friend J would say "Well, ya know if it was catching I'd be with a dude by now..." (His best friend is g*a*y and they are around each other so often that there's a joke that if BFF is sick, J and B(boyfriend) must be too.)